And why aren't you signed up for either Lake San Antonio Central CA in May or Burney Falls Northern CA in September??? Or, both!!!!

Yes, water in the back of the trailer can be problematic throwing the trailer weight off. I found that I had no problem as long as I didn't exceed about 55/60 mph and I have my bike on the back to boot. I'm never in a hurry so I just putz along. I now have the generator on the front which seems to have off set the water and bike on the back.

I had a problem with Lily on the Alaska trip, she got the runs. I now carry bottled water for her. A 1/2 dozen or so small bottles. In the past I used a water filter for any water going into my holding tank. I got tired of fooling with them so I don't use them any more. What I do before I fill any water containers is taste the water to see if it taste good, then I fill either the trailer tank or the collapsible jugs. In 9 years I've never gotten sick so I don't worry about anything other than the taste.

As far as using the jugs as hold downs, I just hooked a bunge cord to the handle on the jug and the other end to the awning leg. There is an adjustment knob up about 3 feet that I attached to. 5 gallons weighs quite a bit.

I've thought recently that maybe I should start using a filter once again. What I didn't like was using it for a few days and then storing it for a few weeks or months before using it again. Just seemed to me that it wasn't that great to store a used filter for future use. Maybe I'm wrong but it seemed to me to defeat the purpose.

We have been using the charcoal cartridge-type from WalMart and have no complaints. We just zipped the filter securely in a plastic bag until the next use. However, in the "when all else fails" department, I happened to re-read the instructions as we added a fresh cartridge to our new city water connection. Oh-oh, it says to store in a cool place (frig, ice chest or ???) when not in use. Sounds like a good idea to keep gunk from growing in there, so now the filter will be traveling in the refrigerator.

We are thinking of upgrading to an on-board, multiple cartridge setup - some of the places we spend time (Quartzsite) have nasty water and we need to protect the pump, plumbing & water heater as much as possible.

Regarding leaving home with a full fresh water tank ... our [25 gallon] tank is located in the back of the trailer . I'm under the impression that you want to keep the weight down for both safety reasons and gas consumption. Our plan was to compromise and travel with 6-8 gallons in the fresh water tank, and fill up close to our destination.

Just a couple of thoughts, that may or may not apply to your situation:

1) There may not be anything wrong with having a full water tank in the rear if it does not change your tongue weight percentage negatively. Of course that is about 200 pounds of water, so it very well may do so, but I just mean that I would probably fill the tank and then check things out with a scale, and then if it seems feasible, a short test drive (carefully and not on a busy road).

200# in the rear of my small Boler probably would make an unacceptable difference, but I don't know your rig.

2) On the idea of traveling with the tank partially full: Again, I don't know your rig, but, keep in mind that depending on the shape of the tank (and whether or not it has internal baffles), a partially full tank could also have its potentially dangerous problems. Like the "free surface effect" on vessels, the "loose" water could cause instability by sloshing or sudden movement.

Now, I'm not saying that 10 gallons in a 25 gallon tank will roll your rig, but only wanted to mention it because it's conceivable that a partially filled tank would be as bad or worse than a full one, and you would not have the benefit of the more water.
The problem is worse the more short and wide your tank is, and would be less with a tall, deep tank that was not wide.

As far as weight and affecting mileage: It would be about like one person.

Just a couple of thoughts, that may or may not apply to your situation:

1) There may not be anything wrong with having a full water tank in the rear if it does not change your tongue weight percentage negatively. Of course that is about 200 pounds of water, so it very well may do so, but I just mean that I would probably fill the tank and then check things out with a scale, and then if it seems feasible, a short test drive (carefully and not on a busy road).

2) On the idea of traveling with the tank partially full: Again, I don't know your rig, but, keep in mind that depending on the shape of the tank (and whether or not it has internal baffles), a partially full tank could also have its potentially dangerous problems.
The problem is worse the more short and wide your tank is, and would be less with a tall, deep tank that was not wide.

As far as weight and affecting mileage: It would be about like one person.

This is a useful topic

Raya

Thanks Raya - I didn't consider any problems with a water tank filled a third of the way.

One of the things on my short list (thank goodness the full short list is getting shorter): weighing the trailer. There is a public scale down the freeway from my house. Prior to selecting a trailer, I weighed my TV fully packed with people, dogs and equipment. I'm planning to weigh the trailer (which is now mostly outfitted) and the tongue.

I just got a 100-pound pound generator. If the trailer/tongue weight will allow it, I want to add a porch for the generator. The advisability of filling the water tank will become apparent as well.

I agree that this is a useful topic.

I'm happy to see the responses and the turn it has taken into the possible use of filters. Really learning a lot from everyone's excellent postings!

And why aren't you signed up for either Lake San Antonio Central CA in May or Burney Falls Northern CA in September??? Or, both!!!!

Yes, water in the back of the trailer can be problematic throwing the trailer weight off. I found that I had no problem as long as I didn't exceed about 55/60 mph and I have my bike on the back to boot. I'm never in a hurry so I just putz along. I now have the generator on the front which seems to have off set the water and bike on the back.

I had a problem with Lily on the Alaska trip, she got the runs. I now carry bottled water for her. A 1/2 dozen or so small bottles. In the past I used a water filter for any water going into my holding tank. I got tired of fooling with them so I don't use them any more. What I do before I fill any water containers is taste the water to see if it taste good, then I fill either the trailer tank or the collapsible jugs. In 9 years I've never gotten sick so I don't worry about anything other than the taste.

As far as using the jugs as hold downs, I just hooked a bunge cord to the handle on the jug and the other end to the awning leg. There is an adjustment knob up about 3 feet that I attached to. 5 gallons weighs quite a bit.

I have Labrador Retrievers and I got the trailer to allow me to train and participate in out-of town retrieving hunt tests and field trials. Most of these events take place in the Pacific NW and Central California.

The San Antonio Rally conflicts with my Field trial/Hunt Test calendar. Not sure what's happening in September. If I have no conflicts, I'll try to get up there. Hoping for Lake Casitas in late October, since the folks there greatly influenced my thinking/selection of a trailer that would best meet my needs.

I like the idea of using a water filter for taste as well as parasite control. I honestly hadn't thought about that before this thread!

But I'm trying to get my head around where you put the filter. Is it something you put into the tank each fill up? Do you keep it in the tank for the entire trip? I'll definitely take a trip to Walmart and REI. Does anyone have a link to a good quality filter?

I have Labrador Retrievers and I got the trailer to allow me to train and participate in retrieving out-of town hunt tests and field trials. Most of these events take place in the Pacific NW and Central California.

The San Antonio Rally conflicts with my Field trial/Hunt Test calendar. Not sure what's happening in September. If I have no conflicts, I'll try to get up there. Hoping for Lake Casitas in late October, since the folks there greatly influenced my thinking/selection of a trailer that would best meet my needs.

I like the idea of using a water filter for taste as well as parasite control. I honestly hadn't thought about that before this thread!

But I'm trying to get my head around where you put the filter. Is it something you put into the tank each fill up? Do you keep it in the tank for the entire trip? I'll definitely take a trip to Walmart and REI. Does anyone have a link to a good quality filter?

Thanks again!

There are three ways you can filter. Depending on how your rig is plumbed would also effect how you do it. If you travel often and it sounds like you do. I would have a dealership install a filter inside. This would go just after your electric pump inline. That way it filters any water that is in your tank before it enters any of your appliances. You can install the Wal-Mart filter in this manor. I like this setup because your tank will always have some water in it and it can get nasty. So this almost guarantees no matter what, that your tap/shower water is clean. Now, if your Trailer is (Like Mine) This will not filter water coming in from the "city water" hookup. In this case you can also carry a "Wal-Mart" filter that screws directly into the water inlet, on the outside of your coach. The fresh water line would go from the spigot to the other end of the filter. This ensures that all water no matter the sources gets filtered before it reaches your internal plumbing.

If you are really skeptical of the water source (IE your stuck using river water) I recommend adding purification tablets to the water in a jug or collapsible container. These are basically iodine tablets. After treating the water you can then dump it into your tank. In this case if you have a portable pump like the example in the pictures you would have the filter connected to the pump. And it would remove the Hopefully now dead parasites from the treatment. as well as another nasties that may be left in the water. The tablets do leave a taste but if you take the lid off and let the water sit about 30 mins per gallon of water. The iodine evaporates. and the taste dissipates. There have been extensive studies on the use of the tablets and the general consensus is that they are safe.

One thing to note on filters. Although most claim to remove chemicals.... This is a huge grey area in the specifications. If you think there is chemical contaminations to the water.... DO NOT DRINK IT. No matter how much you boil, filter or treat it. Don't cook or even bathe with it.

If anyone uses these filter configurations please post some pictures. I think this is a vary important discussion. I have a friend that drank water one time from a stream way up in the mountains.. He got sic and he has had Major health problems ever since. And lets face it water quality is not getting better...

- Raya

I do a lot of trail driving. I allays leave home with a full tank.. If there is anything left at the end of camping I drain it. I did one time forget to drain and left about 1/3 of the water in it. When I got home I realized that the hold down straps on the tank had broken completely free. It was a pretty bumpy ride and the sloshing must have been extreme. I had forgotten all about that until you mentioned the hazards of a partially filled tank. I added some reinforcement to the hold downs after that event. I have not had any other issues since. My tank is only 11 gallons. I can imagine a larger tank could effect driving if it were sloshing around a lot.

1. A splitter (so when you are connected to a water source at the campsite you have a means of water without disconnecting your trailer water.
2. A water pressure reducer (you can blow your water lines as pressure varies greatly from faucet to faucet.)
3. A water filter
4. Several hoses of different lengths (I have a 6ft, 10ft & 2 25ft.)
5. An elbow for the connection at the trailer (this keep the hose from kinking under the weight itself and the water, especially in high temperate areas.)
6. A water thief (enables you to connect your hose to a faucet that does not have a threaded faucet.)
7. A spray nozzle (just comes in handy)
8. Misc. faucet handles (I went down to the hardware store and purchased all the different handles that go on faucets. You'll come across faucets without handles so using a handle is better than a wrench which could do damage to the faucet.)

On left connects to trailer:.........On the right connects to faucet:
Elbow........................................ Splitter
Filter..........................................Pr essure reducer
Hose..........................................Hose

All my connections have quick connects on them that's why you can't see the threads.

Here's the variety of handles needed for faucets.
The rubber green thing is the water thief. You simply push it on a faucet that has no threads and then tighten the hose clamp, so you'll need a screwdriver handy.

1. A splitter (so when you are connected to a water source at the campsite you have a means of water without disconnecting your trailer water.
2. A water pressure reducer (you can blow your water lines as pressure varies greatly from faucet to faucet.)
3. A water filter
4. Several hoses of different lengths (I have a 6ft, 10ft & 2 25ft.)
5. An elbow for the connection at the trailer (this keep the hose from kinking under the weight itself and the water, especially in high temperate areas.)
6. A water thief (enables you to connect your hose to a faucet that does not have a threaded faucet.)
7. A spray nozzle (just comes in handy)
8. Misc. faucet handles (I went down to the hardware store and purchased all the different handles that go on faucets. You'll come across faucets without handles so using a handle is better than a wrench which could do damage to the faucet.)

All my connections have quick connects on them that's why you can't see the threads.

Wow! WOW! WOW!

Terrific info and pictures.

After reading your posts, I dropped all my "must do to-do list" and ran over to Walmart and my hardware store.

Can you believe it, but I forgot to get the collaspsible jugs.

I got the multiple faucet handles from my hardware store.

I did pick up the Walmart water filter - much larger than Joy's. Quite frankly, if it doesn't cost too much more, I'd rather have something more compact.

Walmart didn't have the quick connects, and my hardware store told me that I can only find them at RV stores.

I also need to go to another RV store for the elbow and splitter. Walmart had these items - but the cashier received some message that these products had been recalled and took them away from me!

But I now have a shopping list and a plan of action!

Joy, one more question: the water thief. Is this something you put together from a variety of hardware items, or can by purchase it?

Thanks for the info. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I put things together.

Joy, one more question: the water thief. Is this something you put together from a variety of hardware items, or can by purchase it?

I'm not Joy, but I'll jump in here and answer your question:
The "Water Thief" is a regularly available item that you can just purchase... Joy has added the clamp to hers.
I have seen them in my local WalMart stores.

I always carry a small glass n the TV. A quck sp of any water suppply will immediately tell you if you even want to use it. Almost everyone in SoCal has bottled water since the public water supply tastes bad. Sometimes you just have to stop and buy a few gallons just for drinking, cooking and coffee.

I found the filter in my garage, brand new but about 6 years old. I went on-line looking or it...cough cough...$73. But in retrospect I think I paid $45 to $50 for mine.

The elbows and splitters are found at hardware stores as well as quick connects. My water things are all brass which is hard to find now days. Most are plastic or some kind punk metal. If you want brass just keep looking, maybe a plumbing supply store. RV store at last resort as they are generally very pricey.

I don't remember where I got the water thief.

Jane, when you connect your water things to a campground water supply be sure to disconnect it as soon as you disconnect the hose. I accidentally left mine attached to a faucet in Canada when I was on my way to Alaska. I managed to find brass fittings but the Canadian's water connections are opposite of ours. So it took a little fiddling to get it all back together. My Canadian setup is a backup now. When I got back from my trip I went out lookiing for USA water fittings and that's when I found out that it's hard to find brass now.

Frederick,
Nope, I didn't add the clamp to the water thief, it came with it. But I did add the quick connect for the hose.